Total Wine & More Software Engineer Interview Questions + Guide in 2025

Total Wine & More is the largest independent retailer of fine wine, beer, and spirits in the United States, committed to providing exceptional customer experiences and promoting growth within its teams.

As a Software Engineer at Total Wine & More, you will play a pivotal role in the engineering modernization team, focusing on building scalable and performant cloud-based web applications. Your responsibilities will include developing reusable components using C# and collaborating closely with product owners and architects to translate design specifications into functional code. You will also be involved in solution analysis, mentoring junior engineers, and ensuring the optimization of usability, security, and performance in all applications. A customer-centric mindset, coupled with an entrepreneurial spirit, will be crucial as you pilot features in real-world scenarios. Ideal candidates will have over five years of experience with .NET technologies, RESTful APIs, and cloud environments, alongside a solid understanding of best practices in software design and architecture.

This guide aims to equip you with tailored insights to enhance your preparation for a Software Engineer interview at Total Wine & More, ensuring you align your technical expertise and experiences with the company’s values and expectations.

The interview process for a Software Engineer at Total Wine & More is structured to assess both technical skills and cultural fit within the organization. It typically unfolds in several stages, allowing candidates to showcase their expertise and alignment with the company's values.

1. Initial Phone Screening

The process begins with a brief phone screening, usually lasting around 15-30 minutes. During this call, a recruiter will review your resume, discuss your interest in the position, and gauge your fit for the company culture. Expect questions about your background, motivations for applying, and any relevant experiences that align with the role.

2. Technical Assessment

Candidates who pass the initial screening will be required to complete a technical assessment. This may include a logic test or an aptitude test designed to evaluate your problem-solving abilities and technical knowledge. The assessment typically covers areas relevant to the role, such as coding skills, understanding of algorithms, and familiarity with software development processes.

3. Technical Interviews

Following the technical assessment, candidates will participate in multiple technical interviews, often conducted via video conference. These interviews may involve discussions with several team members, including developers and managers. Expect to answer questions related to your current and past projects, coding challenges, and specific technologies relevant to the position, such as C#, React, and cloud-based solutions.

4. Behavioral Interviews

In addition to technical evaluations, candidates will also undergo behavioral interviews. These sessions focus on assessing your interpersonal skills, teamwork, and alignment with the company's values. Be prepared to discuss scenarios from your past experiences that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities, adaptability, and how you handle challenges in a team environment.

5. Final Interview and Homework Assignment

The final stage of the interview process may involve a comprehensive interview with multiple team members, where you will be asked to elaborate on your technical skills and cultural fit. In some cases, candidates may be given a "homework" assignment that tests their analytical skills and ability to apply concepts learned during the interview process. This assignment may require you to complete specific tasks related to coding, data analysis, or project management.

As you prepare for your interviews, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the types of questions that may be asked during this process.

Here are some tips to help you excel in your interview.

Understand the Interview Process

Total Wine & More has a multi-step interview process that includes phone screenings, technical assessments, and multiple rounds of interviews with various team members. Familiarize yourself with this structure and prepare accordingly. Expect to discuss your resume in detail, your motivations for applying, and your experiences with relevant technologies. Being well-prepared for each stage will demonstrate your commitment and organizational skills.

Showcase Your Technical Expertise

As a Software Engineer, you will be expected to have a strong command of C#, JavaScript (preferably React), and cloud-based technologies. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you utilized these skills, focusing on the challenges you faced and how you overcame them. Prepare for coding questions and be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities through practical examples. Highlight your experience with RESTful APIs, microservices, and database technologies, as these are crucial for the role.

Prepare for Behavioral Questions

Total Wine & More places a strong emphasis on culture and fit. Expect behavioral questions that assess how you handle challenges, work in teams, and align with the company's values. Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your responses, providing clear examples from your past experiences. Be honest and reflective about your experiences, as the interviewers are looking for authenticity and a good cultural fit.

Emphasize Collaboration and Mentorship

The role involves working closely with product owners and mentoring junior engineers. Be prepared to discuss your approach to collaboration and how you have supported the growth of others in your previous roles. Share specific examples of how you have contributed to team dynamics and fostered a positive working environment. This will demonstrate your alignment with Total Wine & More's values of teamwork and growth.

Be Ready for a Logic Test

Candidates often undergo a logic test as part of the interview process. Brush up on your analytical and problem-solving skills, as this will be a key component of your evaluation. Practice logic puzzles and coding challenges to ensure you are comfortable with the format and types of questions you may encounter.

Show Your Passion for the Company

Total Wine & More values individuals who are enthusiastic about their mission and products. If you are a customer or have a genuine interest in the wine, beer, and spirits industry, share that passion during your interview. Discuss how your personal interests align with the company's goals and how you can contribute to enhancing the customer experience.

Prepare for Homework Assignments

Be aware that you may be given a "homework" assignment after your interviews, which could involve practical tasks related to your role. Approach these assignments seriously and treat them as an extension of the interview process. Use this opportunity to showcase your skills and attention to detail, as well as your ability to follow instructions and meet deadlines.

Follow Up Professionally

After your interviews, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity and reiterate your interest in the position. This not only shows professionalism but also keeps you top of mind for the interviewers. If you receive feedback, whether positive or negative, take it constructively and use it to improve for future opportunities.

By following these tips and preparing thoroughly, you will position yourself as a strong candidate for the Software Engineer role at Total Wine & More. Good luck!

In this section, we’ll review the various interview questions that might be asked during a Software Engineer interview at Total Wine & More. The interview process will likely assess both your technical skills and your fit within the company culture. Be prepared to discuss your past projects, technical expertise, and how you approach problem-solving in a collaborative environment.

Technical Skills

1. Can you describe a project where you implemented a microservices architecture?

This question aims to evaluate your understanding of microservices and your practical experience in implementing them.

How to Answer

Discuss the specific project, the challenges you faced, and how you overcame them. Highlight the benefits of using microservices in that context.

Example

“In a recent project, I transitioned a monolithic application to a microservices architecture. This allowed us to scale individual components independently, which improved our deployment times and system reliability. I faced challenges with service communication, but by implementing an API gateway, we streamlined interactions between services.”

2. How do you ensure the performance and scalability of your applications?

This question assesses your knowledge of best practices in software development.

How to Answer

Explain the strategies you use to optimize performance, such as code reviews, load testing, and using efficient algorithms.

Example

“I focus on writing clean, efficient code and regularly conduct performance testing. For instance, I use profiling tools to identify bottlenecks and optimize database queries. Additionally, I implement caching strategies to reduce load times and improve user experience.”

3. What is your experience with C# and the .NET framework?

This question gauges your familiarity with the primary technologies used at Total Wine & More.

How to Answer

Share your experience with C# and .NET, including specific projects or applications you’ve developed.

Example

“I have over five years of experience with C# and the .NET framework. In my last role, I developed a web application that managed inventory for a retail client, utilizing ASP.NET Core for the backend and Entity Framework for database interactions.”

4. Can you explain the concept of RESTful APIs and how you have implemented them?

This question tests your understanding of API design and implementation.

How to Answer

Define RESTful APIs and discuss your experience in creating and consuming them in your projects.

Example

“RESTful APIs are designed around stateless communication and use standard HTTP methods. I’ve implemented several RESTful APIs in my projects, ensuring they follow best practices for resource naming and response formatting. For example, I created an API for a mobile app that allowed users to retrieve and update their profiles seamlessly.”

5. Describe your experience with cloud technologies and deployment.

This question assesses your familiarity with cloud environments, which are crucial for modern software development.

How to Answer

Discuss the cloud platforms you’ve worked with and how you’ve utilized them in your projects.

Example

“I have extensive experience with AWS and Azure, where I’ve deployed applications using services like EC2 and Azure App Services. I also implemented CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps, which streamlined our deployment process and reduced downtime.”

Behavioral Questions

1. Tell me about a time you had to work closely with a product owner. How did you ensure their requirements were met?

This question evaluates your collaboration skills and ability to understand business needs.

How to Answer

Provide a specific example of a project where you collaborated with a product owner, focusing on communication and feedback.

Example

“In a recent project, I worked closely with a product owner to develop a new feature for our e-commerce platform. I scheduled regular check-ins to gather feedback and ensure we were aligned on requirements. This open communication helped us deliver a feature that exceeded user expectations.”

2. Describe a situation where you faced a significant technical challenge. How did you resolve it?

This question assesses your problem-solving skills and resilience.

How to Answer

Share a specific challenge, the steps you took to address it, and the outcome.

Example

“I encountered a significant challenge when a critical service went down during peak hours. I quickly assembled a team to diagnose the issue, which turned out to be a database connection problem. We implemented a temporary fix and then worked on a long-term solution to improve our database connection pooling, which has since prevented similar issues.”

3. How do you handle tight deadlines and pressure?

This question evaluates your time management and stress management skills.

How to Answer

Discuss your strategies for prioritizing tasks and maintaining quality under pressure.

Example

“When faced with tight deadlines, I prioritize tasks based on their impact and urgency. I also communicate with my team to ensure we’re aligned and can support each other. For instance, during a recent project, I delegated tasks effectively, which allowed us to meet our deadline without compromising quality.”

4. Can you give an example of a time you disagreed with a team member? How did you handle it?

This question assesses your interpersonal skills and ability to navigate conflict.

How to Answer

Describe the situation, your approach to resolving the disagreement, and the outcome.

Example

“I once disagreed with a team member about the best approach to implement a feature. I suggested we hold a meeting to discuss our perspectives openly. By listening to each other and considering the pros and cons of both approaches, we reached a compromise that combined elements from both ideas, resulting in a better solution.”

5. What motivates you to succeed in your role?

This question gauges your passion and drive for your work.

How to Answer

Share what aspects of software engineering inspire you and how they align with the company’s mission.

Example

“I’m motivated by the opportunity to solve complex problems and create impactful solutions. I find it rewarding to see how my work can enhance user experiences and contribute to a company’s success, especially in a customer-focused environment like Total Wine & More.”